Apparatus and method for powering a garment

ABSTRACT

A lawn mower has an electrical port that receives current from an alternator powered by the lawn mower engine. The current and voltage sent the electrical port depend on a flywheel and stator arrangement operatively connected to the alternator. The stator may be replaceable or interchangeable to selectively determine the alternator current and voltage output. The port receives a plug from a garment worn by the lawn mower operator. The garment includes one or more thermo-electric elements that are powered from current extending through the port. The thermo-electric elements may be resistive heaters to warm the operator or TEC coolers to cool the operator. Furthermore, the garment may include a rechargeable battery that powers the thermo-electric elements when the plug is disconnected from the port.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 62/610,692, filed on Dec. 27, 2017; the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to outdoor drivable power unitsor machines, such as lawn mowers or snow blowers/throwers, and agarment(s) worn by the operator of the powered drivable machine. Moreparticularly, the present disclosure relates to a powered drivablemachine that includes an electrical port through which the operator mayconnect an electrically powered garment configured to either warm orcool the operator.

BACKGROUND Background Information

Outdoor yard/property maintenance and lawn care may be accomplished in anumber of different ways. Some people choose riding mowers or other zeroturn standing mowers to accomplish their yard mowing tasks. Some peoplechoose snow blowers/snow throwers to accomplish their snow removaltasks.

Ordinarily, snow blowers and riding mowers have a gas combustion enginesupported by a frame and an alternator connected thereto. The alternatoron the riding mower or snow thrower is utilized to output an electricalcurrent ordinarily used to charge a conventional battery that issupported by the machine and is not configured to be removed from themachine unless the battery needs replaced.

Clearly, when snow removal is required, the weather is cold. Sometimeslawn maintenance is required even when the outside weather is less thanideal. For example, a homeowner's grass may still need mowed even thoughthe outside temperature is cold. Additionally, the grass may still needmowed even when the outside temperature is hot. These weather conditionsmay become uncomfortable for the mower operator.

Typically, the operators will wear clothing to accommodate and accountfor the weather/temperature conditions. But there may be some instanceswhere a garment of clothing is still insufficient to provide protectionand comfort for the outside weather/temperature conditions.

SUMMARY

Issues continue to exists with engine drivable outdoor power units,which may be in the form of a lawn mower or a snow thrower, and theclothing worn by the operator, inasmuch as the operator may need to bewarmed on cold days or may need to be cooled on hot days. The presentdisclosure addresses these and other issues.

In one aspect, the disclosure may provide a system comprising: an enginepowered drivable machine (such as a zero-turn stand up riding lawn moweror other riding mowers or a snow thrower) including an alternator and anelectrical port operatively connected to the alternator to provideelectrical power therethrough when a plug is plugged into the port; agarment sized to be worn by an operator of the engine powered drivablemachine, wherein the garment includes at least one electrically poweredthermo-electric element electrically coupled to the plug; and whereinwhen the plug is connected to the port, the at least one thermo-electricelement draws power from the machine to change temperature in order towarm or cool the operator wearing the garment.

In one aspect, the disclosure may provide a riding mower comprising: afront end spaced form a rear end defining a longitudinal directiontherebetween; an alternator powered by an engine supported by a mowerframe; a flywheel and stator combination operatively connected to thealternator directing the alternator voltage output; an electrical portin electrical communication with the alternator providing electricalcurrent therethrough when an electrically powered garment worn by ariding mower operator is connected to the electrical port.

In another aspect, the disclosure may provide a system comprising: anengine powered and drivable machine (i.e., a lawn mower) including analternator and an electrical outlet (i.e., a port) operably coupled tothe outlet to provide electrical power therethrough when an item isplugged into the outlet; a garment sized to be worn by an operator ofthe machine, wherein the garment includes a plurality of electricallypowered elements electrically coupled to a plug configured to eitherwarm or cool the operator when electrically powered, wherein when theplug is operably connected to the outlet, the electrically poweredelements draw power from the machine to either increase in temperatureto warm the operator wearing the garment or decrease in temperature tocool the operator wearing the garment.

In another aspect, the disclosure may provide a method comprising thesteps of: driving a lawn mower including an electrical port receivingcurrent generated from an alternator; sending the current through theelectrical port into a plug and through a wire electrically connected toa garment; and powering a thermo-electric element in the garment withthe current, wherein the thermo-electric element performs one of thefollowing tasks: (i) warming a mower operator wearing the garment, and(ii) cooling the mower operator wearing the garment. The step of sendingthe current through the electrical port may be accomplished byselectively actuating a switch on the electrical port between on and offpositions. The step of powering the thermo-electric element in thegarment may be accomplished by charging, depleting, and recharging asupplemental battery carried by the garment, wherein the supplementalbattery is distinct from a mower battery.

In another aspect, the disclosure may provide a lawn mower including anelectrical port that receives current from an alternator powered by thelawn mower engine. The current and voltage sent the electrical portdepend on a flywheel and stator arrangement operatively connected to thealternator. The stator may be replaceable or interchangeable toselectively determine the alternator current and voltage output. Theport receives a plug from a garment worn by the lawn mower operator. Thegarment includes one or more thermo-electric elements that are poweredfrom current extending through the port. The thermo-electric elementsmay be resistive heaters to warm the operator or TEC coolers to cool theoperator. Furthermore, the garment may include a rechargeable batterythat powers the thermo-electric elements when the plug is disconnectedfrom the port.

In one aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure may provide agarment to be worn by an operator of a lawn mower, the garmentcomprising: an electrically powered element coupled to a portion of thegarment configured to heat or cool the operator while wearing thegarment; a wire coupled to the electrically powered element having aportion of the wire extending outward from the garment; and a plugconnected to the wire that plugs into a complementary port on the ridingmower, wherein when the plug is connected with the port, electricalcurrent flows from the riding mower through the wire and towards theelectrically powered element. This exemplary embodiment or anotherexemplary embodiment may further provide wherein when the plug isdisconnected from the port on the lawn mower, electrical current doesnot flow through the portion of the wire extending outwardly from thegarment. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment mayfurther provide wherein a battery coupled to the electrically poweredelement. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment mayfurther provide wherein battery activation logic programmed to power theelectrically powered element with current from the battery when the plugis disconnected from the port on the lawn mower. This exemplaryembodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide whereininstructions in the battery activation logic to automatically initiatecurrent movement to the electrically powered element in response todisconnection of the plug from the complementary port on the lawn mower.This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may furtherprovide wherein instructions in the battery activation logic to permitselective current movement to the electrically powered element, asselected by the operator, in response to disconnection of the plug fromthe complementary port on the lawn mower. This exemplary embodiment oranother exemplary embodiment may further provide wherein an electricalregulator coupled to the wire configured to transform current or voltageflowing from the lawn mower through the wire. This exemplary embodimentor another exemplary embodiment may further provide wherein wiring thatelectrically powers the battery and the electrically powered elementsimultaneously in parallel. This exemplary embodiment or anotherexemplary embodiment may further provide wherein a releasable connectorthat releasably connects the battery to the garment. This exemplaryembodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide wherein areleasable connector that releasably connects the electrically poweredelement to the garment. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplaryembodiment may further provide wherein the electrically powered elementis non-removably integrated into the garment. This exemplary embodimentor another exemplary embodiment may further provide wherein theelectrically powered element is an electrically resistive heating wire.This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may furtherprovide wherein the electrically powered element is a thermoelectriccooler (TEC). This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodimentmay further provide a bottom hem, wherein the portion of the wireextending outward from the garment extends from the bottom hem. Thisexemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further providewherein the bottom hem is positioned adjacent the port when the operatoris on the lawn mower, wherein when the lawn mower is a riding mower, theport is positioned at a height in a range from about 25 inches to about40 inches above an operator support on the riding mower. This exemplaryembodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide a sleeve,wherein the portion of the wire extending outward from the garmentextends from the sleeve. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplaryembodiment may further provide a chest region, wherein the portion ofthe wire extending outward from the garment extends from the chestregion. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment mayfurther provide wherein the garment is free of a battery.

In another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure mayprovide a method comprising: combusting fuel in an engine of a lawnmower; generating current from a device coupled to the engine; directingcurrent from the device to a port on the lawn mower; receiving a plug ofa garment worn by an operator of the lawn mower in the port; andpowering an electrical element in the garment with current from the lawnmower. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment mayfurther provide moving the lawn mower with the plug connected to theport. This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment mayfurther provide charging a supplemental battery carried by the garmentin response to the plug being connected to the port. This exemplaryembodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further provide powering,simultaneously in parallel, a resistive heating element in the garmentand a battery carried by the garment. This exemplary embodiment oranother exemplary embodiment may further provide disconnecting the plugfrom the port; effecting an operator to dismount the lawn mower suchthat the resistive heating element in the garment is powered with thebattery that was charged when the plug was connected to the port. Thisexemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further providetransforming the current from a higher first voltage to a lower secondvoltage prior to current exiting the port on the lawn mower. Thisexemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further providewherein the current is transformed from a higher first voltage to alower second voltage after exiting the port on the lawnmower via atransformer carried in the garment. This exemplary embodiment or anotherexemplary embodiment may further provide switching, via a first switchadjacent the port, between an on-state and an off-state, wherein currentis able to flow through the port when the switch in in the on-state andis unable to flow through the port when the switch is in the off-state.This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may furtherprovide switching, via a second switch, between a higher first voltageand a lower second voltage of the current flowing through the port whenthe first switch is in the on-state. This exemplary embodiment oranother exemplary embodiment may further provide transmitting currentfrom the port through a wire extending outwardly from the garment;wherein the wire extending outwardly from the garment is coupled to theelectrical element in the garment and the electrical element is selectedfrom a group comprising a thermoelectric cooler (TEC), a resistiveheating element, and a supplemental battery.

In yet another aspect, an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosuremay provide a method comprising: donning a garment carrying anelectrical device; mounting a lawn mower; connecting a wire and plugextending outwardly from the garment to an electrical port on the lawnmower; turning on an engine of the lawn mower; driving the lawn mower;and receiving electrical power from the lawn mower through the port andinto the electrical device in garment via the wire and plug. Thisexemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may further providedisconnecting the wire and plug from the electrical port on the lawnmower; dismounting the lawn power; performing a secondary action remotefrom the lawn mower; and effecting electrical current to move throughthe electrical device in the garment while dismounted from the lawnmower and performing the secondary action remote from the lawn mower.This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may furtherprovide wherein effecting electrical current to move through theelectrical device in the garment while dismounted from the lawn mower isaccomplished by depleting potential energy from a battery carried by thegarment that was charging when the wire and plug were connected to theelectrical port on the lawn mower. This exemplary embodiment or anotherexemplary embodiment may further provide wherein donning the garmentfurther comprises: inserting a first arm of an operator through a firstsleeve of the garment and inserting a second arm of the operator througha second sleeve of the garment; and positioning the wire and plug at aheight in a range from about 25 inches to about 40 inches above anoperator support on the lawn mower. This exemplary embodiment or anotherexemplary embodiment may further provide wherein receiving electricalpower from the lawn mower through the port and into the electricaldevice in garment via the wire and plug further comprises: receivingelectrical power simultaneously in parallel to a resistive heatingelement and a supplemental battery carried by the garment; wherein theresistive heating element is powered by current from the lawn mower whenthe wire and plug are connected with the electrical port whilesimultaneously charging the supplemental battery; and wherein thesupplemental battery powers the resistive heating element when the wireand plug are disconnected from the electrical port on the lawn mower.This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may furtherprovide actuating a first switch on the lawn mower to switch electricalport the electrical port from an off-state to an on-state; and actuatinga second switch on the lawn mower to switch voltage moving through theelectrical port from a higher first voltage to a lower second voltage.This exemplary embodiment or another exemplary embodiment may furtherprovide receiving, automatically, current through the wire and plugconnect to the electrical port in response to plugging the plug into theelectrical port; wherein the electrical port on the lawn mower is aUniversal Serial Bus (USB) port.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

A sample embodiment of the disclosure is set forth in the followingdescription, is shown in the drawings and is particularly and distinctlypointed out and set forth in the appended claims. The accompanyingdrawings, which are fully incorporated herein and constitute a part ofthe specification, illustrate various examples, methods, and otherexample embodiments of various aspects of the disclosure. It will beappreciated that the illustrated element boundaries (e.g., boxes, groupsof boxes, or other shapes) in the figures represent one example of theboundaries. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that insome examples one element may be designed as multiple elements or thatmultiple elements may be designed as one element. In some examples, anelement shown as an internal component of another element may beimplemented as an external component and vice versa. Furthermore,elements may not be drawn to scale.

FIG. 1 (FIG. 1) is a side elevation view of a lawn mower including anelectrical port.

FIG. 2 (FIG. 2) is an operational partial side elevation view of thelawn mower controlled by an operator wearing a first embodiment garment.

FIG. 3 (FIG. 3) is an operational partial side elevation view of thelawn mower controlled by an operator wearing a second embodimentgarment.

Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As depicted throughout the figures, an outdoor power unit is depictedgenerally at 10. The outdoor power unit may be a powered drivablemachine. More particularly, the outdoor power unit may be embodied inthe form of a snow blower/thrower or a powered drivable machine 10.Powered drivable machine 10 is configured to engage an operator wearingan electrically powered garment, such as a heated jacket or a coolingvest, and provide power to the electrically powered garment from thepowered drivable machine 10. Powered drivable machine 10 may also bereferred to herein and in the appended claims as an outdoor power unitor a ridable power unit or a powered drivable machine, regardless ofwhether the device is actually a mower or a snow thrower, which is justsome examples of an outdoor power unit.

Powered drivable machine 10 may include an engine 12, a mower frame 14,an operator support 16, machine drive controls 18, ground engagingwheels 20, a mower deck 22, an alternator 24, a flywheel 26, a stator28, and an electrical port 30 configured to be electrically connectedwith an electrically powered garment, such as garment 32A in FIG. 2 orgarment 32B in FIG. 3.

Powered drivable machine 10 includes a forward end 36 and a rear end 38defining a longitudinal direction therebetween. Similarly, powereddrivable machine 10 includes a first side and second side defining atransverse direction therebetween. Additionally, powered drivablemachine 10 includes a lower end defined by the ground engaging wheels 20and an upper end defined by the machine drive controls 18 that define avertical direction therebetween.

Engine 12 is supported by frame 14 and is coupled thereto as one havingordinary skill in the art would understand. Additionally, engine 12 maybe positioned at any location intermediate the forward end 36 and therear end 38. Further, the engine 12 may be located at any position onpowered drivable machine 10 intermediate the first side and the secondside. Additionally, engine 12 may be any conventionally known engineconfigured to power the powered drivable machine 10. In one particularexample, engine 12 may be an internal combustion engine. However,another exemplary embodiment, the engine 12 may be an electric mowerwith a drive shaft coupled to various wheels or pulley or other gears toeffectuate rotational movement of components, such as the drive wheels20 on the power unit 10. When engine 12 is embodied as an electricmotor, the electric motor may have a larger battery source that iscarried by the mower frame, at least indirectly, to power the electricmotor. The electric motor battery may be rechargeable in aconventionally known manner to allow the mower or powered driven machine10 to deplete the main battery associated with the electric motor (i.e.engine 12) to perform the various actions and modes of operations indiscussed in greater detail below.

Operator support 16 is attached to frame 14 in a rigid manner such thatan operator is able to sit or stand with their body weight supported byoperator support 16. Operator support 16 is depicted in FIG. 1 as aplatform upon which an operator stands and in this scenario, powereddrivable machine 10 is a zero turn riding lawn mower. However, operatorsupport 16, as depicted in FIG. 1, is not intended to be limiting, andas one having ordinary skill in the art would understand and foresee,operator support 16 may be in the form of a seat positioned closelyadjacent engine 12 supported by frame 14.

The machine drive controls 18 are located adjacent the operator support16 in order to give the operator the ability to manually adjust variouscontrols in order to move powered drivable machine 10 in the desireddirection. As one having ordinary skill in the art would understand, thedrive controls 18 may be operatively connected and in logicalcommunication with electric motor or engine 12 which is in operativecommunication with drive wheels 20. Thus, actuation of mower controls 18can move powered drivable machine 10 in the forward or rearwarddirection or toward the first side or toward the second side.Additionally, mower controls 18 may be operatively connected to mowerdeck 22 which includes a rotatable blade 40 as one having ordinary skillin the art would understand. Mower deck 22 is preferably positionedintermediate the wheels 20, however other scenarios may provide asituation where the mower deck 22 is forward from the foremost wheel orrearward from the rearmost wheel.

The alternator 24 is operatively connected to the engine 12 andindirectly or directly supported by the frame 14 intermediate theforward end 36 and the rear end 38. As one having ordinary skill in theart would understand, alternator 24 is configured to output anelectrical current. In the preferred embodiment of the presentdisclosure, the electrical current output from alternator 24 is a directcurrent. The direct current output from alternator 24 may be connectedto a mower battery 42 configured to drive the electrical systems ofpowered drivable machine 10 as one having ordinary skill in the artwould understand. The mower battery is generally indicated at 42 and itsposition represented in FIG. 1 is not intended to be limiting and ratheris shown pictorially to indicate that the mower battery 42 is configuredto power the powered drivable machine 10 and not garment 32A or garment32B. As will be described in greater detail below, the electrical port30 is also coupled, at least indirectly, with alternator 24 and isconfigured to power garment 32A or 32B, and that some supplementalbatteries located in garment 32B do not power powered drivable machine10 like mower battery 42 does. However, in another embodiment, ratherthan being coupled to the alternator, the port may be coupled with thebattery. In this instance, the port is indirectly with the alternatorvia the battery. Thus, garment 32A or 32B may receive electrical currentfrom either alternator 24 or battery 42.

The alternator 24 may also include the flywheel 26 with a magnetic rotorfixedly attached thereto. The flywheel 26 enables alternator 24 to be apermanent magnetic-type flywheel alternator that has no brushes, nocommutator, no belts, and requires little to no adjustments. The stator28 includes a plurality of coils wound in series in order to createmagnetic flux as the magnetic rotor on flywheel 26 rotates around oradjacent the stationary coils of stator 28. While not shown in FIG. 1,one having ordinary skill in the art would understand and foresee thatthe flywheel alternator as depicted would also include a rectifiermodule and a regulator module.

The direct current output from alternator 24 depends on the coilarrangement present in stator 28. Accordingly, and in accordance withthe present disclosure, there may be advantages of producing differentDC currents output from alternator 24. As such, stator 28 is designed tobe repeatably releasable and interchangeable with other stators havingsimilar mounts to operatively connect with flywheel 26 but havealternative coil arrangements. With the varying coil arrangements, theoperator is able to selectively determine the electrical DC currentoutput from alternator 24. In accordance with the present disclosure,the DC electrical current output from alternator 24 may be selected froma voltage group comprising 12 volts, 16 volts, 18 volts, 20 volts, and48 volts.

It is noteworthy that, in other embodiments, when machine 10 is poweredby a main battery connected to an electric motor (regardless of whethermachine is an electric snow blower/thrower or an electric lawn mower),there may not be a need for an alternator. These electrically poweredembodiments of machine 10 may provide a direct electrical connectionbetween the main battery of machine 10 and the electrical port 30. Atransformer or regulator may be connected between the main battery andthe electrical port.

Electrical port 30 defines an electric terminal slot 44 in which anexposed end of wire 48 (i.e., an electric terminal) is at leastindirectly located. Electrical port 30 may also be referred to as anelectrical outlet in one embodiment. Wire 48 is operatively connected toalternator 24 to enable current to flow therealong. In otherembodiments, wire 48 is operatively connected to battery 42.Furthermore, port 30 may be coupled with a switch 46 to selectivelypermit and preclude current flow along wire 48 when an external device,such as garment 32A or garment 32B is plugged into slot 44. A voltageregulator or a current regulator, or a combination voltage and currentregulator 52 may be positioned along wire 48 intermediate electricalport 30 and alternator 24. One exemplary slot 44 is sized to accommodatea USB-plug, or is otherwise known as a USB slot. More particularly, port30 may be a female USB slot. In one example, port 30 on the powereddrivable machine 10 is open to the outside environment and not within acabin (“cab”) that is typically found in a vehicle/car/truck or tractor.

In one exemplary embodiment, regulator 52 may be a transformer disposedelectrically between the port 30 and either the alternator 24 or thebattery 42. In a broader aspect, the regulator 52 may be a transformerthat is disposed electrically between the alternator 24 or batter 42 andthe heating or cooling element on garment 32A or garment 32B. Thetransformer is operative to alter either the voltage or current outputfrom the alternator or battery such that the port 30 transmits voltageor power different than that which is output from the alternator 24 orthe battery 42. In one particular example, garment 32A or 32B is a lowvoltage garment that can either heat or cool the operator. As such, thetransformer is operative to transform the higher voltage or highercurrent output from the battery 42 or alternator 24 to a lower voltageor current so as to not damage the low voltage wires within garment 32Aor garment 32B. In another particular embodiment, the transformer may belocated on the garment itself, rather than in or near the electricalport. In this embodiment, it may advantageous to put the transformer onthe garment 32A or the garment 32B because if the transformer is on thepowered drivable machine 10 then the port 30 will have limited number ofuses inasmuch as the port 30 will become a low voltage port. However, itmay be possible to add a second switch 47 to the transformer to enablethe transformer to be bypassed to allow the port 30 to operate as eithera high voltage or low voltage port 30 depending on whether the secondswitch 47 coupled to the transformer is turned on or turned off. Thesecond switch may be located adjacent the first switch 46 and havesufficient indicators to identify whether the port is operating in a lowvoltage capacity or a high voltage capacity depending on the throw ofthe second switch. Thus, first switch 46 may be a switch that turns theport 30 on and off and the second switch 47 may be a switch thatselectively enables an operator to choose a high voltage or a lowvoltage electrical current to move through the port 30 when first switch46 is turned to its on position.

Port 30 may be mounted and attached to a mower panel 56. In oneparticular embodiment, port 30 may be closely adjacent mower controls 18and positioned vertically below controls 18 and above engine 12. Inother instances, port 30 may be positioned rearwardly from engine 12.However, this is not intended to be limiting and there could bescenarios where port 30 is positioned forwardly from engine 12. Port 30may be further positioned about waist high, in a range from about 25inches to about 40 inches above operator support 16 in order to enableeither garment 32A or garment 32B to plug into slot 44 with a minimalamount of electrical cord extending from the garment to the port 30. Thepanel 56 supporting port 30 may be directly connected to frame 14. Thus,port 30 may be referred to as indirectly coupled to frame 14. As this isa riding lawn mower, the electrical port 30 is open to the outsideelements and is not positioned within a cabin (or a cab) of a vehiclesuch as a tractor or car. However, port 30 may have a cover or flap toprotect wire 48 in port 30 from the outdoor elements.

Wire 60 carrying plug 62 may be carried relative to garment 32A so as toreduce the overall length of the wire 60 needed to establish theelectrical connection between plug 62 and port 30. In one example, whenport 30 is a female USB port, then the plug is a complementary male USBplug. The exterior wire 60 may extend outwardly from garment 32 adjacentthe lower portion of the overcoat. This should position the plug 62closely adjacent the port 30 without needing a significant amount ofdistance or dimensional length for the exterior wire 60 to complete theselective connection between plug 62 and port 30. Furthermore, by havingwire 60 terminating in the plug 62 extend outwardly from the bottom ofthe garment 32A, it leaves the operators arms free to maneuver andmanipulate or otherwise control the powered drivable machine 10. Thus,while it is possible for the wire 60 terminating in plug 62 to extendoutwardly from one of the sleeves or even an upper portion of thegarment 32A, there may be reasons to not provide such a configuration.For example, if the wire 60 terminating in the plug 62 extendedoutwardly from one of the sleeves, then when the plug 62 is connectedwith port 30, the wire 60 may limit the range of motion that theoperator may have for that respective sleeve. Furthermore, if the wire60 terminating in the plug 62 extended outwardly from the chest orcollar area of the garment 32A, then a greater length of wire 60 wouldbe needed to complete the connection of plug 62 with port 30.Additionally, as discussed above, in the embodiment when the transformeron the garment 32A to effectuate the transformation of the voltageoutput from the alternator 24 or the battery 42, the transformer may belocated within plug 62. However, it is entirely possible thattransformer be located along other portions of wire 60 so as to positionthe transformer within garment 32A.

As depicted in FIG. 2, a first embodiment in accordance with the presentdisclosure provides first exemplary garment 32A as an overcoat. Garment32A includes electrically resistive heating elements strung throughoutthe coat. The heating elements 50 are connected to an exterior wire 60terminating in a plug 62 shaped complementary to slot 44 and isconfigured to be inserted therein. In one example, wire 60 extendsoutwards from the garment below a bottom hem 61. However, wire 60 mayalternatively extend from sleeve 63 or a chest region of the garment.Plug 62 includes at least indirectly exposed wires configured toelectrically connect with the at least indirectly exposed ends of wire48. When the plug 62 is connected to port 30 and the switch 46 is turned“ON”, electric current is able to flow from the alternator to theresistive heating elements 50. In this instance, the second switch wouldbe engaged to have the regulator 52 or transformer ensure that the lowvoltage current flows through port 30 into wire 60. The heating elements50 receiving current therethrough heat up and provide warmth to theoperator wearing the garment 32A. The garment 32A depicted in FIG. 2 isnot intended to be limiting. Thus, while a jacket is shown that providesheating elements 50 to keep the operator warm, the garment 32A couldjust as easily be embodiment in a vest utilizing thermoelectric cooling(TEC) elements to provide a cooling effect for the operator wearing thegarment 32A (Note: Reference numeral 50 may also refer to the TECelements providing a cooling effect). One exemplary TEC element uses thePeltier effect to create a heat flux between the junction of twodifferent types of materials and may be provided in wire format to bestrung throughout the garment such that a cool first side (opposite awarm second side) of the TEC element faces the wearer's body.

As depicted in FIG. 3, a second embodiment in accordance with thepresent disclosure provides second exemplary garment 32B as an overcoat.Garment 32B includes electrically resistive heating elements strungthroughout the coat. The heating elements 50 are directly connected to arechargeable battery 70 carried by the garment. In one embodiment, thebattery 70 may be carried within or adjacent a pocket of the garment.This enables garment 32B to be washable when the battery 70 is removed.Alternatively, battery 70 may be sewn into the garment. Garment 32Bincludes exterior wire 60 terminating in a plug 62 shaped complementaryto slot 44 and is configured to be inserted therein. Exterior wire 60further includes a second plug 72 which may be directly connected tobattery 70 or to a exteriorly extending battery wire 73. Plug 62includes wires configured to electrically connect with the exposed endsof wire 48. When the plug 62 is connected to port 30 and the switch 46is turned “ON”, electric current is able to flow from the alternator tocharge the battery 70. The battery 70 may be charged from the alternatorto a point where battery 70 has a sufficient amount of stored power. Thesecond plug 72 may be disconnected such that battery 70 provides theelectrical current to power heating elements 50.

In another example associated with the second garment 32B, the battery70 may be wired in a manner that enables low voltage current to chargethe battery 70 in parallel with powering the heating elements or TECcooler in garment 32B. For example, when the plug 62 is connected withthe port 30 while the operator is using the powered drivable machine 10,the current may charge battery 70 while simultaneously powering theheating element or TEC cooler. Thus, battery would not need to power theheating element(s) or TEC cooler when plug 62 of garment 32B is pluggedinto port 30. However, garment 32B may be wired or programmed torecognize that when the plug 62 is disconnected from port 30, then thebattery 70 is activated to provide the primary power to heatingelement(s) or TEC cooler(s). Then, when the plug 62 is disconnect fromport 30, the battery 70 is activated by battery activation logic topower the heating elements 50 or the TEC cooler(s). In one example, thiswould be advantageous to an operator who frequently gets on and off thepowered drivable machine 10. Namely, an operator mowing a long fenceline typically needs to dismount from the mower to trim around the fenceposts. Or, an operator plowing snow with a snow blower needs to dismountthe snow blower and perform a secondary snow removal actions, such asshoveling a sidewalk. After dismounting and disconnecting plug 62 fromport 30, the battery 70 would be activated to power heating element 50or TEC cooler(s) to maintain the desired temperature of garment 32B wornby the operator.

“Logic” or “battery activation logic”, as used herein, includes but isnot limited to hardware, firmware, software and/or combinations of eachto perform a function(s) or an action(s), and/or to cause a function oraction from another logic, method, and/or system. For example, based ona desired application or needs, battery activation logic may include asoftware controlled microprocessor, discrete logic like a processor(e.g., microprocessor), an application specific integrated circuit(ASIC), a programmed logic device, a memory device containinginstructions, an electric device having a memory, or the like. Logic mayinclude one or more gates, combinations of gates, or other circuitcomponents. Logic may also be fully embodied as software. Logic mayfurther be embodied as instructions stored in a machine readable mediumthat may be executed by a microprocessor to perform a desired function.For example, the battery activation logic may include instructions toautomatically initiate current movement to the electrically poweredelement in response to disconnection of the plug from the complementaryport 30 on the lawn mower 12. Additional instructions in the batteryactivation logic permit selective current movement to the electricallypowered element 50, as selected by the operator, in response todisconnection of the plug 62 from the complementary port on the lawnmower 12. Where multiple logics are described, it may be possible toincorporate the multiple logics into one physical logic. Similarly,where a single logic is described, it may be possible to distribute thatsingle logic between multiple physical logics.

The heating elements 50 receiving current therethrough from the battery70 heat up and provide warmth to the operator while wearing the garment32B. The garment 32B depicted in FIG. 3 is not intended to be limiting.Thus, while a jacket is shown that provides battery 70 powering heatingelements 50 to keep the operator warm (or cool), the garment 32B couldjust as easily be embodied in a vest carrying battery 70 powering TECelements to provide a cooling effect for the operator wearing thegarment 32B

Furthermore, while the two exemplary garments 32A or 32B is depicted asbeing worn by the upper body portion of the operator, clearly theadvantages of garment 32A or 32B could be equally applied to garmentsworn by the operator over the lower portion of their body, such as pantsor shorts, or even shoes. Similarly, the teachings of garment 32A or 32Bcould be equally applied to garment accessories, such as heated orcooling hats, gloves, ear muffs, scarves, coveralls, or gaitersconfigured to be plugged into powered drivable machine 10.

Furthermore, either garment 32A or 32B may be incorporated with awinding and unwinding reel carrying the extension cord or wire 60,wherein the extension cord spools about the reel between a woundposition and unwound position to enable the operator to plug the plug 62into the outlet/port 30.

In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, powereddrivable machine 10 provides improved advantages of thermo-effects to agarment worn by the mower operator. One garment may be electricallyconnected to the port 30 supported by the mower to power the garmentworn by the operator. The powering of the garment may be used to eitherwarm the operator or cool the operator depending on the environmentalweather conditions. For example, if the outdoor temperature is aboveabout seventy or about seventy five degrees Fahrenheit, then the mowerwill power garment-carried TEC elements to cool the operator. If theoutdoor temperature is below about seventy or about sixty degrees, thenthe garment will power garment carried resistive heater to warm theoperator.

In operation and with respect to FIG. 2 depicting the first embodimentgarment 32A, an operator wearing the garment 32A may be supported byoperator support 16. The operator may then grasp exterior wire 60 andinsert plug 62 into slot 44 on port 30. The exterior wire 60 is shown asexiting garment 32A adjacent a bottom hem, however this is not intendedto be limiting. However, it may be desirable to ensure wire 60 issufficiently short such that it does not entangle while the operator iscontrolling powered drivable machine 10 via controls 18. Otherembodiments may provide a wire 60 coupled with a retracting mechanism toautomatically reduce the length of wire 60 to a sufficiently safelength.

As the mower is driven, the alternator 24 receives power from engine 12.The electrical power output from alternator 24 is dependent on theflywheel 26 and interchangeable stator 28 arrangement described above,and the electrical power output is directed along wire 48 to electricalport 30. The electrical current extends through port 30 into plug 62along wire 60 to power thermo-electrical heating elements 50. Thepowered elements increase in temperature to provide warmth to theoperator donning the garment 32A. Alternatively, this arrangement mayprovide a cooling effect when the thermo-electric elements 50 arethermo-electric coolers.

In the embodiment utilizing garment 32B, the electrical power output fedto port 30 charges battery 70 via second plug 72 establishing anelectrical connection therebetween. The operator wearing garment 32B maypower elements 50 via a direct connection, thus effectively bypassingbattery 70, or the electrical connection may be used to charge battery70 when it has been drained or somewhat drained (i.e., depleted orpartially depleted) during its powering of elements 50. Garment 32B haswiring that electrically powers the battery 70 and the electricallypowered element 50 simultaneously in parallel.

An exemplary power unit 10, which may include an internal combustionengine or be powered by a main battery connected to an electric motor,in accordance with the present disclosure is embodied in U.S. PatentApplication No. 62/610,682 filed on Dec. 27, 2017 entitled “CHARGINGSTATION MOUNTED ON A LAWN MOWER”, which is co-owned at the time offiling, and all corresponding non-provisional utility applicationclaiming priority to the same, are each hereby incorporated in theirentirety by reference as if fully re-written herein.

Also, various inventive concepts may be embodied as one or more methods,of which an example has been provided. The acts performed as part of themethod may be ordered in any suitable way. Accordingly, embodiments maybe constructed in which acts are performed in an order different thanillustrated, which may include performing some acts simultaneously, eventhough shown as sequential acts in illustrative embodiments.

While various inventive embodiments have been described and illustratedherein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision avariety of other means and/or structures for performing the functionand/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantagesdescribed herein, and each of such variations and/or modifications isdeemed to be within the scope of the inventive embodiments describedherein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciatethat all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations describedherein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters,dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon thespecific application or applications for which the inventive teachingsis/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able toascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalentsto the specific inventive embodiments described herein. It is,therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presentedby way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claimsand equivalents thereto, inventive embodiments may be practicedotherwise than as specifically described and claimed. Inventiveembodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each individualfeature, system, article, material, kit, and/or method described herein.In addition, any combination of two or more such features, systems,articles, materials, kits, and/or methods, if such features, systems,articles, materials, kits, and/or methods are not mutually inconsistent,is included within the inventive scope of the present disclosure.

All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood tocontrol over dictionary definitions, definitions in documentsincorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of the definedterms.

The articles “a” and “an,” as used herein in the specification and inthe claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should beunderstood to mean “at least one.” The phrase “and/or,” as used hereinin the specification and in the claims (if at all), should be understoodto mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elementsthat are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively presentin other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should beconstrued in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements soconjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than theelements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether relatedor unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as anon-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used inconjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, inone embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B);in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements otherthan A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionallyincluding other elements); etc. As used herein in the specification andin the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as“and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list,“or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., theinclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a numberor list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Onlyterms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or“exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” willrefer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list ofelements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only beinterpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the otherbut not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,”“one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.” “Consisting essentiallyof,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used inthe field of patent law.

As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “atleast one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should beunderstood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more ofthe elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including atleast one of each and every element specifically listed within the listof elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the listof elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally bepresent other than the elements specifically identified within the listof elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether relatedor unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as anon-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “atleast one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) canrefer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including morethan one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements otherthan B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally includingmore than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elementsother than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionallyincluding more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including morethan one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

When a feature or element is herein referred to as being “on” anotherfeature or element, it can be directly on the other feature or elementor intervening features and/or elements may also be present. Incontrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being “directlyon” another feature or element, there are no intervening features orelements present. It will also be understood that, when a feature orelement is referred to as being “connected”, “attached” or “coupled” toanother feature or element, it can be directly connected, attached orcoupled to the other feature or element or intervening features orelements may be present. In contrast, when a feature or element isreferred to as being “directly connected”, “directly attached” or“directly coupled” to another feature or element, there are nointervening features or elements present. Although described or shownwith respect to one embodiment, the features and elements so describedor shown can apply to other embodiments. It will also be appreciated bythose of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature thatis disposed “adjacent” another feature may have portions that overlap orunderlie the adjacent feature.

Spatially relative terms, such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”,“upper”, “above”, “behind”, “in front of”, and the like, may be usedherein for ease of description to describe one element or feature'srelationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in thefigures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms areintended to encompass different orientations of the device in use oroperation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. Forexample, if a device in the figures is inverted, elements described as“under” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented“over” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “under”can encompass both an orientation of over and under. The device may beotherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and thespatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.Similarly, the terms “upwardly”, “downwardly”, “vertical”, “horizontal”,“lateral”, “transverse”, “longitudinal”, and the like are used hereinfor the purpose of explanation only unless specifically indicatedotherwise.

Although the terms “first” and “second” may be used herein to describevarious features/elements, these features/elements should not be limitedby these terms, unless the context indicates otherwise. These terms maybe used to distinguish one feature/element from another feature/element.Thus, a first feature/element discussed herein could be termed a secondfeature/element, and similarly, a second feature/element discussedherein could be termed a first feature/element without departing fromthe teachings of the present invention.

An embodiment is an implementation or example of the present disclosure.Reference in the specification to “an embodiment,” “one embodiment,”“some embodiments,” “one particular embodiment,” or “other embodiments,”or the like, means that a particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic described in connection with the embodiments is includedin at least some embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments, ofthe invention. The various appearances “an embodiment,” “oneembodiment,” “some embodiments,” “one particular embodiment,” or “otherembodiments,” or the like, are not necessarily all referring to the sameembodiments.

If this specification states a component, feature, structure, orcharacteristic “may”, “might”, or “could” be included, that particularcomponent, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to beincluded. If the specification or claim refers to “a” or “an” element,that does not mean there is only one of the element. If thespecification or claims refer to “an additional” element, that does notpreclude there being more than one of the additional element.

As used herein in the specification and claims, including as used in theexamples and unless otherwise expressly specified, all numbers may beread as if prefaced by the word “about” or “approximately,” even if theterm does not expressly appear. The phrase “about” or “approximately”may be used when describing magnitude and/or position to indicate thatthe value and/or position described is within a reasonable expectedrange of values and/or positions. For example, a numeric value may havea value that is +/−0.1% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−1%of the stated value (or range of values), +/−2% of the stated value (orrange of values), +/−5% of the stated value (or range of values), +/−10%of the stated value (or range of values), etc. Any numerical rangerecited herein is intended to include all sub-ranges subsumed therein.

Additionally, any method of performing the present disclosure may occurin a sequence different than those described herein. Accordingly, nosequence of the method should be read as a limitation unless explicitlystated. It is recognizable that performing some of the steps of themethod in a different order could achieve a similar result.

In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all transitionalphrases such as “comprising,” “including,” “carrying,” “having,”“containing,” “involving,” “holding,” “composed of,” and the like are tobe understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limitedto. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consistingessentially of” shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases,respectively, as set forth in the United States Patent Office Manual ofPatent Examining Procedures.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity,clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to beimplied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because suchterms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadlyconstrued.

Moreover, the description and illustration of various embodiments of thedisclosure are examples and the disclosure is not limited to the exactdetails shown or described.

What is claimed:
 1. A system comprising: a powered drivable machineincluding an electrical port operatively connected a current source toprovide electrical power therethrough when a plug is plugged into theport; a garment sized to be worn by an operator of the engine powereddrivable machine, wherein the garment includes at least one electricallypowered thermo-electric element electrically coupled to the plug; andwherein when the plug is connected to the port, the at least onethermo-electric element draws power from the powered drivable machine tochange temperature in order to warm or cool the operator wearing thegarment.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the port on the powereddrivable machine is open to the outside environment and not within acab.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the powered drivable machine is azero-turn mower.
 4. The system of claim 3, wherein the riding mower is asnow thrower.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the powered drivablemachine further includes: a forward end opposite a rear end; a motor orengine positioned forwardly from a drive control; and the portpositioned rearward from the motor or engine.
 6. The system of claim 5,wherein the port is proximate the drive control and attached to avertically aligned support panel.
 7. The system of claim 6, furthercomprising a selectively actuating switch on the electrical port.
 8. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the garment is selected from the groupconsisting of: coveralls, a jacket, pants, a hat, gloves, a scarf, and aneck gaiter.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the garment furthercomprises a rechargeable battery carried by the garment powering the atleast one thermo-electric element; wherein the plug on the garmentrecharges the battery as the battery is drained.
 10. The system of claim1, further comprising an electrically conductive extension cord carryingthe plug configured to connect with the port.
 11. The system of claim10, further comprising a winding and unwinding reel carrying theextension cord, wherein the extension cord spools about the reel betweena wound position and unwound position.
 12. An outdoor power unitcomprising: a front end spaced form a rear end defining a longitudinaldirection therebetween; a motor or engine supported by a frame; anelectrical power source coupled to the motor or engine; and agarment-powering electrical port in electrical communication with theelectrical current source to provide electrical current through the portwhen an electrically powered garment, worn by an operator of the powerunit, is connected to the garment-powering electrical port.
 13. Theoutdoor power unit of claim 12, further comprising a switch at thegarment-powering electrical port enabling the operator to selectivelyprovide the electrical current through the electrical port.
 14. Theoutdoor power unit of claim 13, further comprising a panel extendingupwardly from the frame; wherein the electrical port is attached to thepanel.
 15. The outdoor power unit of claim 13, wherein the electricalport is positioned adjacent drive controls of the outdoor power unit.16. The outdoor power unit of claim 13, wherein the electrical port ispositioned at a height in a range from about 25 inches to about 40inches above an operator support, and adapted to enable the garment toplug into the port with a minimal amount of electrical cord extendingfrom the garment to the port.
 17. The outdoor power unit of claim 12,further comprising an alternator and a flywheel and stator combinationoperatively connected to the alternator directing alternator outputvoltage, wherein the alternator is the electrical current source. 18.The outdoor power unit of claim 12, further comprising: a main batterycoupled to an electric motor; wherein the outdoor power unit is selectedfrom the group comprising a lawn mower and a snow thrower; and theoutdoor power unit is free of an internal combustion engine such thatthe outdoor power unit is one of an electric lawn mower and an electricsnow thrower.